Handsome Nathan

This is a picture I found of Nathan on his computer. He was so handsome.

In Memory of Nathan

My brother, only sibling, and best friend passed away on Sunday October 31st, 2010. It was unexpected. He silently and instantly passed from this life to the next into the beautiful arms of the Savior. Autopsy reports are inconclusive so far. My heart desperately aches for my brother. We were more than siblings and more than friends. We were both at the same time which connected us stronger than any other connection two people can have, bar marriage.

Nathan and I shared memories, some good and some bad. He endured my bossy know-it-all years when I harassed him about taking too much soda and driving too fast. He put up with my controlling habits and tolerated my nagging criticisms. I am still not sure how he did it. He used to say "I hope you marry a man that can put up with you!" Even with the way I tried to mother my brother, he loved me and as adults we got along great.

I appreciate Nathan for the way he made me laugh. He lived a life filled with trials and suffering and his humor sustained parts of me when it was unbearable to watch. He and I shared a childhood that is impossible to explain. As adults we laughed often about all the crazy memories of mom and dad. He called me "CM" (short for Catherine MacAllister). He'd call me up on the phone :"Hey CM, guess what dad did. Hey CM, if I have to hear McDougall's name one more time I am going to scream!"

We laughed and cried together for the nine years he lived with me, just before his paralyzing accident. We hugged goodbye and sobbed in each other's arms as he departed for California to attend Project Walk where he spent the last two and half years of his life learning how to take steps again.

The Saturday before he died, it was as if his spirit knew he was about to leave this Earth. He called all his family members, in an amazingly happy mood, to talk and just be together in conversation. The next day he was gone.

Nathan, there won't be a day that passes that I won't miss you. You leave an irreplaceable spot in my heart. I love you and can't wait for the day when I join you in eternity, in the arms of Jesus. Until then, I just remember all the good times we had and the secrets we shared. I am glad you have no more pain. I am comforted at the thought that you are running through Heaven's streets proclaiming the majesty of God. It must be truly awesome!

Oregon 2010!!!!!

Oregon 2010!!!!!!

My Brother Walks

Go Nathan! Keep working... you'll be walking home soon enough. Miss you and love you brother. I'll buy you some smaller sized shorts when you come for Christmas! ;o)

Sam and Daddy

Sam, you make us so happy. I just love to see you in Daddy's arms with your full of life smile and contagious laugh. What a gift you are to us. We all just love you!

Sierra Mederios Simmons

Grandpa Jim and Sierra standing in a pool of water along the Columbia River in Hood River, OR.

Proverbs 31 Wife Disappointment

I have a wonderful fantasy about keeping the kind of blog that paints a poetic picture of life as a Proverbs 31 wife. She sews, cooks, cleans, owns her own business, and gardens among many other things. But for me this seems more like fantasy than an obtainable reality. Don't get me wrong. I live a lovely life, couldn't love being a mom more than I do, and I don't just blow off any attempt to align my life to more closely resemble the poetic one I dream of. I do. But this post reflects more of my reality. You see, I can't sew, nor do I have the time to with the demands from raising six kids in a hustle and bustle suburban area. Anyway, even if I did sew, I might be able to push out clothes enough for one or two outfits of the 30-40 each season demands for a family of eight, so I figure, what's the point? And, this brings me to my theme for this post... gardening. This year, I figured I'd try my hand at gardening our own tomoatoes, one for my own pleasure, and two for the sake of saving money on one of my summer favorites. I must skip straight to the point. I have only seen a quart of cherry tomatoes from our 5 plants and can you guess why? Yes, hungry Golden Retrievers who go to all lengths to break into my tomatoe jail. Come to think of it, I don't recall the Proverbs 31 woman having pets. Hmmmmmm.